Customer Reviews

Goodbye, Vietnam

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I believe that this book is good for children because it explains things like sacrifice, suffering, and courage clearly. If a child reads this book, he or she will be interested because the principal character (a 13 years old) is telling the story. So, young readers can feel good witn this book, and also they learn about the true meaning of life. Finally, I would recomended that all children read this fantastic story.

I first got interested in Vietnam at the age of 7. My eldest sister's husband was born in Vietnam. From everything he and his family has told me about it, it is 110% acurrate. It is very special to me because of my brother-in-laws life there. HE escaped Vietnam, and it is true how they live on platforms. Anyway, it's an awesome book. It is amongst the best books I've ever read.

My friends were reading this book and they said it was good so I triend it and it is one of my favorite books now. This book is a story about a girl and how she escapes with her family to Hong Kong and then on to America. Its a have to read!

Mai, 13 lives in a small Vietnamese village. She has a sister, Anh, 9 and a brother Thant, 6. As the oldest, she had to leave school to work in the rice paddies to bring in extra income. Her family is strained financially; her father had been taken away by authorities and forced to serve a year in a prison work camp. The same threat is being issued to her grandmother. Authorities learned of her natural remedies, her healing powers and threatened to take her away permanently if she did not stop practicing her traditional remedies.

Hope comes in the form of her father's mechanic's tools. Those tools, he explains, will secure them passage on a boat to Hong Kong and out of Vietnam. Their uncle, who has successfully emigrated to Chicago and has also written them, telling them they can stay with him. Mai's father explains that the authorities cannot know that he has any job or skills other than farming. For the authorities to know he has skills in mechanics and has those tools will certainly mean imprisonment or death.

The day of escape has finally arrived. Mai and her family leave the village and everything they knew for an arduous, 2-day trek to the city where the boats are waiting. Readers walk every step of the way with them, reading with baited breath every time a jeep passes or someone in authority poses a threat. The grandmother uses ducks, traditional wisdom and old customs to get the family into the city, past the guards and the questioning.

Once in the city, families wait for their boats in makeshift camps. Many families have sold most if not all of their possessions just to secure passage on those boats.

When the boats do arrive, people are jammed into the boats, not unlike the slave ships during the mass exodus. The captain of Mai's ship is a ruthless man who is not above extortion. Passengers suffer the Sail of Tears with rats, vermin, illness and even possible death. Vietnamese passengers who know medicine are not allowed to reveal their skills lest they be banned; sent back to Vietnam or possibly killed.

Once the boats reach Hong Kong, then the Free Port (prior to 1997, Hong Kong was the Free Port to the world. In 1997 Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rulership). The Vietnamese diaspora to Hong Kong is perilous at best and their arrival is equally if not more daunting. Brutalities against the new arrivals are commonplace, as has been recorded in history. However, this book maintains a tone of hope. Mai introduces readers to a wide range of personalities, including a flautist her age.

The new arrivals have more rigorous journeys ahead of them. Mai, the only literate member of her household and one of several literate travelers on this journey, leads readers through Vietnamese culture, customs and history. Readers learn some Vietnamese words as well as the traumas that took place during the Vietnamese diaspora to Hong Kong and beyond. Many families were able to settle in European countries; Canada; Japan and even the United States. This book is an excellent novel that chronicles an important part of history that should never be forgotten. It might even make you cry. Weeping Under This Same Moon, a roman a clef about two girls, one of whom is American and the other a newcomer from Vietnam is an excellent companion book to this one.

A 13 years old,Mai,and her family-father,mother, grandmother,her sister and brother-left their country,Vietnam,because the government wanted to arrest the grandmother and wanted the people work for them instead go to school,etc.Mai and her family left Veitnam by boat which had a lot of people.they spent a long time in the boat and lots of situations happened in that boat.Finally they found the land,Hong Kong,that they met other people from Vietmam.They stayed in the warehouse with other thousands people.It was a bad time there,however they could go to USA by supporting of their close reletive.

I really like this story very much. Because there are much type of life, love, sad, grad, die, newlife in this story. Before I read this story, I didn't know about Vietam War well. Mai's family and other Vietnammese people were left their own place. When I thoght "why they had to Escape?"I was so sad. Because when I lived in my country(Japan), I nevre have this cituation. Because there are no more war right now. I think this story is very good for my generation.I could about war and refugees. Also I could know to live is not easy. So Japanese young guy's are should readthis book! Anyway thank you for your recommend this book Mr.Nicholas!!!

I really like this story very much. Because there are much type of life, love, sad, grad, die, newlife in this story. Before I read this story, I didn't know about Vietam War well. Mai's family and other Vietnammese people were left their own place. When I thoght "why they had to Escape?"I was so sad. Because when I lived in my country(Japan), I nevre have this cituation. Because there are no more war right now. I think this story is very good for my generation.I could about war and refugees. Also I could know to live is not easy. So Japanese young guy's are should readthis book! Anyway thank you for your recommend this book Mr.Nicholas!!!

My child had to read this book for a summer reading requirement. Naturally, I read the book to be sure he would do a good job. I encourage anyone to read this book, as it has a great story line. The author has the ability to take the reader into the story and keep the reader captivated. I found that in the middle of the book I could not put it down, as I was enthralled on finding out what would take place next. The author has done the research behind the culture of the characters, and has managed to voice the humor to reflect.

it's pretty good. it's really descriptive, and you could relate to the characters. it's not 100% authentic in its portrayal of vietnamese people though.

I thouraly enjoyed this book my favorite character was kim Because she was so bold and up front it was hard not to admire her courage and zest for life. The only problem with the book is that there is not enough description in this book is a 5 star book. I thought chapter 11 was sad. I highly recomrnd this book